A/N - As you read this chapter, keep in mind this story is one of those alternate scenario stories that doesn't necessarily follow the show timeline following the Stagecoach Seven episode. Hope you enjoy anyway.
Two days later, Doc Howard thought Heyes was strong enough to endure the bullet removal. He was given a small dose of ether to put him to sleep, so the procedure wouldn't be so stressful. When the doc got into the surgery, however, he found something...infection. The doctor had tried his best to keep the wound clean. He went ahead and removed the bullet, then thoroughly washed out the wound with water and alcohol. Having sewn up and bandaged the area, he went over to the jail to inform Curry.
"Infection!" Kid knew it had been a possibility. "Will he be okay?"
"Well, the infection isn't too bad, but its still there and that's something no one can predict."
"Sheriff, can I go see him?"
"Sorry Mr. Jones, but the authorities from Wyoming are supposed to be here today."
"I'll let Joshua know you wanted to see him," the doc said getting ready to leave.
"Thanks Doc."
At around two in the afternoon, two men walked into the sheriff's office, one wearing a suit, and one sporting a tin star. "Sheriff Rivers?" the man with the tin star inquired.
"Yessir. Can I help you?"
"I'm Sheriff Lom Trevors from Wyoming and this is Mr. Mason from the Wyoming governor's office."
"Pleased to meet you. I guess you'll be wanting to see my guests." Rivers led the way back into the cell block.
Kid perked up when he saw Lom, but his heart sank just as fast when he saw the man with the suit. "Howdy Lom."
"Hello Kid." Kid glanced at Rivers when Lom said his real name.
"Don't worry son. I've known all along. Your partner likes to talk when he's delirious."
"He's got to quit doing that."
"How is Heyes," Lom asked.
"Doc says he's lost alot of blood and has an infection."
"Well, we'll go over to see him next. Right now, we have some business to take care of."
Kid sighed and let his gaze fall to the floor. "Yeah, I guess we do. Let's just get it over with."
Lom stepped aside and let Mr. Mason step up to the bars. "Mr. Curry, I'm Mr. Mason."
"Pleased to meet you."
Mason cleared his throat and opened up a piece of paper. "I, Mr. Andrew Mason, here on behalf of the governor of the territory of Wyoming, hereby declare on the ninth day of September, in the year of our Lord 1882, that Jedidiah 'Kid' Curry, has received a full pardon from the crimes he committed until this day."
Kid, not expecting anything of that nature, staggered backward until he fell on his bunk. "Amnesty! We got the amnesty!"
"Yeah Kid, you got it!" Lom exclaimed.
Kid jumped straight up and down, then had to sit down. "We got it! Oh Lom, thank you."
"Don't thank me, thank the governor."
"Yeah, thank him too! We gotta go tell Heyes! Can we go Sheriff?"
"You don't have to ask me anymore son. You're a free man!"
Tears actually welled up in Kid's eyes at hearing that. He looked down and blinked to try to hide it. Across the way, the Weaver gang watched these proceedings speechless. Sheriff Rivers unlocked Kid's cell and he closed his eyes and walked out.
Lom slapped him on the back. "Congratulations Kid!"
Over in the doctor's office, Heyes had been awake about thirty minutes. He lay staring at the ceiling, thinking about what was going to happen when the Wyoming law showed up. Would they make him go now with Kid? Would they take Kid alone? He had to come up with some way to save them both, if he survived this blessed infection the doc had told him about. His thoughts were interrupted by a suited man, Lom, and Sheriff Rivers walking in. Kid was waiting outside so as not to ruin the surprise, but was peaking around the door.
'Here it comes,' Heyes thought.
"Mr. Heyes?"
"Yes," Heyes answered, resigned to his current fate.
"I'm Andrew Mason and I have something for you."
Heyes got a confused look on his face. "Does it involve shackles?"
"Heyes," Lom warned.
Mason ignored the snarky remark. "I, Mr. Andrew Mason, here on behalf of the governor of the territory of Wyoming, hereby declare on the ninth day of September, in the year of our Lord 1882, that Hannibal Heyes, has received a full pardon from the crimes he committed until this day."
Heyes' eyes got wide as he stared at the man. Kid came around the corner laughing. "We got it Heyes!"
"We got it?" Heyes asked unbelievingly. "WE GOT IT?"
"Yeah Heyes, AMNESTY!"
Heyes was too weak and achy to celebrate much. He just let his head fall back with his eyes shut and mouthed a silent 'thank you'.
"This calls for a celebration!" Doc Howard said from his viewing spot behind the men. He brought out a bottle of Kentucky whiskey from his desk and poured them all a drink. "Just a little drink for you Mr. Heyes!"
"Just 'Heyes' Doc," he said taking the shot glass. "To the governor!"
After downing his drink, Lom turned to Curry. "Kid, here's some money for you a room at the hotel while Heyes gets better, although I have a feeling the doc here will have a heck of a time running you off! Come on boys, let's leave these two alone for a moment." They all left, except Kid.
"Can you believe it Heyes!"
"No Kid. You sure I'm not still asleep?"
"No Heyes, you ain't asleep!"
"Free men Kid. We're FREE!" Heyes sighed with a huge smile on his face. "I couldn't have done it without you Kid."
"Couldn't done it without YOU Heyes!" To this, Kid grabbed the doc's bottle, snuck a little more whiskey into Heyes glass, and they saluted each other.
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That evening, Kid got himself situated at the hotel. News had spread fast through the town that Hannibal Heyes and Kid Curry had received amnesty there earlier that day. As a result, Kid found himself quite hounded when he went to get dinner, then again on his way back to the doctor's office. Some wanted to shake his hand, children wanted to see his fast draw, others gave unapproving looks. The majority, however, were in favor of the boys given freedom. Upon reaching the Heyes' door, he entered quicker than he intended.
"What's wrong," a startled Heyes asked. "You come in here like a posse was on your tail."
"This town has went crazy," an exasperated Kid answered. "Wanting to shake hands, get my signature, see my gun, newspaper guy following me like a lost dog...I'm almost afraid to go back out there! Haven't they been bothering you?"
"Oh, they've come by. The doc won't let them in though," Heyes smiled.
"Lucky. Well, scoot over, I'm spending the night with you!" Kid joked.
"Oh no you ain't! This is my private suit. You'll just have to deal with your adoring public!"
"Just you wait Heyes. Wait 'til you're feelin' better and go out that door."
"Well, the way the doc talks, its gonna be a while. I'll go crazy in here."
"Look at it this way Heyes...you don't have far to go!"
Heyes started to give a retort, but suddenly the room started swaying. Kid noticed his head starting to roll. "Heyes?" Heyes didn't answer. "Heyes!"
"Kid? You sound like you're in a mine shaft." Heyes said slowly.
Kid went to the door. "Hey Doc!"
Doc Howard hurried into the room. "What's wrong Mr. Curry?"
"Nothin's wrong with me. What's wrong with him!" By that time, Heyes head had rolled forward.
"Oh dear. Let's lay him down flat." They lowered the unconscious Heyes down from his sitting position. "This may happen from time to time 'til he gets his strength built up some more. Nothing to worry about. He's just had alot of excitement today and overexerted himself."
"How long will he be like this?"
"He'll probably be in a weakened state for at least a month. Maybe less. There's no way I can tell since I have no idea how much blood he ended up losing. The infection is the main center of worry. If it gets into his bloodstream, well, it won't be good. But, right now, it doesn't look all that bad. I'll keep cleaning the wounds at regular intervals to try to keep it from getting any worse."
"Thanks Doc for all you're doing. You probably saved his life. If you want, I can stay with him tonight so's you can rest."
"That's very kind of you Mr. Curry. I think I'll take you up on that. On that table over there is what I've been using to clean the wounds. If you're awake, you could clean it, oh, in about five hours." Doc Howard took a few minutes and showed Kid what he should do. "I'll see you both in the morning."
"No problem Doc. G'night."
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Over in the jail, Clint Weaver was mad all over again. "I canNOT believe those two got a pardon! I should be twenty thousand dollars richer right now!" Weaver threw his pillow against the bars. "But NO! I'm sittin' in jail because of them! I swear they'll pay for this."